|   Trek fuel owners | mtn_biker101
Jul 16, 2003 4:54 PM | | I have a problem. I can be riding along on flat or uphill terrain and my chain will drop from the middle chainring to the little chainring without touching the swifters. Any explaination why or more importantly, how do I fix it? It seems to occur in the highest gear on the rear cog. Thanks. |
| re: Trek fuel owners | AJ
Jul 16, 2003 6:23 PM | | I've never had that problem with my Fuel. Perhaps you should take it in to the dealer for a better look. Maybe your chain line is out of whack? Not sure if you are running stock stuff or not. |
| Same here.... | Fuelish
Jul 16, 2003 7:18 PM | | no real problems, although I've read a fair amount of complaining about Fuels' shifting with the bontrager bb/chainrings... I've had no more problems than with any other bike I've ridden....I LOVE my Fuel - still !!! |
| Heh, heh, heh..... | BCHeckler
Jul 16, 2003 8:41 PM | | Sorry, don't mean to laugh at your misfortune but I've been there. Loved everything about my Fuel EXCEPT for the notorious chainline. I went through two replacement frames and many drivetrain component changes and the problem you described never entirely went away. I would have the chain dropping to the small ring at least twice a ride, always at the worst possible time. This only happened in the middle ring/30T or 32T combo.
As you can tell from my handle, I resorted to drastic measures to solve this problem. No such drivetrain problems with the Heckler and I couldn't be happier with the ride.
Sorry I can't offer any real constructive advice on your problem but after two years of trying everything my LBS and I could think of, I finally just gave up on the Fuel. |
| 3 shots in the dark | saltybiker
Jul 16, 2003 9:55 PM | | Here goes,
1) Switch to 8 speed and add a spacer.
2) Shorten your chain to increase tension, and avoid a big/big encounter.
3) Switch to a med cage der. which will also create a tighter chain. Don't shift to small/small or you will drop your chain.
Good Luck |
| re: Trek fuel owners | VaughnA
Jul 17, 2003 4:28 AM | | I only had the Bonty cranks on my 2002 fuel for about a month but I saw that problem a few times. Changed cranks to LX and no problems now. If you have bonty cranks, junk'em and get something like an lx. My dealer actually changed them out under warranty. They would replace it with deore no charge, I paid the difference and got splined lx. No problems and I LOVE my fuel.
Vaughn |
| re: Trek fuel owners | mtn_biker101
Jul 17, 2003 5:30 AM | | Hey,
Thanks for the input. I do still have the Bontrager crap on there. I took yesterday to have it looked at. That particular LBS does not sell Treks. The chain and chain line were fine. They suggested replacing the chain rings. BCHeckler, I think we are having similar experiences. The odd thing is I don't notice it on every ride but it certainly occurs at the worst possible times.
Thanks again. |
| the fix | bn
Jul 17, 2003 5:31 AM | | Take to dealer, get trek to replace frame under warranty.
This is what I did after the bike repeatedly tried to kill me by dropping the chain, ghost shifting, etc., DESPITE chainging cranks/BB, chain, and cassette. Bitch loud and hard until they will listen. There were known chainline issues w/earlier models. |
| the fix | mtn_biker101
Jul 17, 2003 5:33 AM | | I've tried that but haven't been very successful. I bought in in 2002 and it was an early 2003 model. Do they still have problems? |
| the fix | VaughnA
Jul 17, 2003 6:20 AM | | I think the 2003 (and some 2002's) has the chainline fix. I had to have my frame replaced (Thanks Trek for Great Warranty SVC) and got a 2003 front triangle. With the Lx it is great, but my 2002 frame had no problems either after putting on the lx cranks.
Vaughn |
| Stupid question | mtn_biker101
Jul 17, 2003 5:53 AM | | Okay, I'm new at this so bear with me. I started looking at cranksets. I see performance has the Shimano M572 Deore LX on sale. Is that what I need? Will I need to replace the BB also? What do I order? Please add any other parts I may need. I guess you have to start somewhere learning, right? |
| Stupid question | VaughnA
Jul 17, 2003 6:24 AM | | I think that the 572 is the 2003? It will require a new splined bb unless your 2003 came with splined bonty cranks. I think that the 2002 cranks could use the XT or Deore Splined bottom bracket. The 2003 is only compatible with the lx bb if I remember correctly. I'm not sure of the size. Can any drivetrain experts confirm this? You may want to check in the drivetrain forum.
Vaughn |
| i don't get it? | mt
Jul 17, 2003 10:25 AM | | Why would a new crank help? Wouldn't he just need better chainrings? Does the crank cause the chainline to be out of whack, or is it the chainrings causing the ghost shifting? I would replace the middle chainring with something highend before getting rid of cranks that are fine.
but then again, I'm cheap. |
| i don't get it? | VaughnA
Jul 17, 2003 12:21 PM | | You could, but since the dealer did mine as a warranty svc I took it. With the reputation of all of the chainrings on the chainrings bending, poor shifting etc. I had chainsuck numerous times and a bent big ring within a month. Since the LX changeout I've only had chainsuck with a very muddy drivetrain, otherwise great shifting. I would just change out the whole lot. Say what you want about shimano, the LX crank is a step above most and a whole flight of stairs above the bontrager cranks IMHO.
Vaughn |
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